Medford Apartment Fire Hits Two Units, Reaches Attic

A fire tore through two apartments at a multifamily complex near downtown Medford, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 29, damaging the attic and prompting a second-alarm response. No injuries were reported, and crews rescued three animals, according to local news reports. How many residents lost their homes had not been determined when the first reports were published.

What happened

The fire was in the 800 block of East Ninth Street. The Medford Fire Department arrived at about 1:45 p.m. and found two apartments fully involved, with flames extending into the attic. Because of the size of the fire and the type of building, the department escalated the call to a second alarm, which brings additional crews and equipment. Firefighters had the flames knocked down by about 2:30 p.m., KDRV reported.

Jackson County Fire District 3 helped at the scene, and Mercy Flights, the regional ambulance service, was also there. Medford police handled traffic control around the complex. After knockdown, crews moved into what firefighters call overhaul, the slow work of opening walls and ceilings to find and put out hidden hot spots. Reports said fire personnel expected to be at the building for an extended period while they checked for remaining fire and assessed damage.

Animals rescued, no injuries

Both outlets reported that no injuries had occurred. Three animals were rescued from the building and were being evaluated, according to the reports. The accounts do not say whether the animals were pets, or which apartments they came from.

Help for affected residents

Medford Alert News reported that the American Red Cross was assisting people affected by the fire. The Red Cross typically helps with immediate needs such as short-term lodging, food and clothing after a home fire, although the reports did not detail what was provided in this case. The number of displaced residents, and how many of the building's units were affected beyond the two involved apartments, had not been established at the time of the reports.

Cause under investigation

A fire marshal was investigating, and the cause had not been determined as of Thursday afternoon. Officials had not said whether the building had working smoke alarms or sprinklers. We have not seen any statement from the fire department about a cause, and nothing here should be read as suggesting one. We will update this story if investigators release findings.

What this means for renters

Attic involvement matters for neighbors. Fire that reaches the attic can run across a shared roof space, which is one reason residents in units that were never burned can still be kept out while damage is assessed. If you live in a multi-unit building, a few steps can reduce the scramble if you ever have to leave:

• Know two exits. Walk your building's stairwells and exits before an emergency, and agree on a meeting spot outside with the people and pets you live with.
• Keep pet carriers handy. Having a carrier or leash near the door makes it easier to get animals out, and to account for them afterward.
• Contact your landlord and insurer. After a fire, tell the property manager where you are staying and ask when you can retrieve belongings. If you have renters insurance, ask about additional living expenses and personal-property coverage right away, and keep receipts.
• Ask the Red Cross for help. If you were displaced, call the local Red Cross chapter or ask the incident commander on scene how to connect with caseworkers.
• Replace documents early. Photograph IDs, leases and insurance cards ahead of time and store the images somewhere you can reach from any device.

Our guide to the first 72 hours after an apartment fire walks through these steps in more detail.

Cover photo: Fire department building in Falls City, Oregon, by Tedder, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. File photo; not the Medford fire or department.